A sketchbook recently filled – vibrant markets and fishing villages in Southern Portugal.. a tiny film.
My big love is being outside in the landscape and drawing and painting. I have just returned from a lovely ‘milestone’ birthday trip to Portugal where I got to do plenty of that and, unusually for me, worked in just one sketchbook and filled it up. Would you like to see? I enjoyed the sights and smells of market days particularly and depicting these bustling, loud and mouthwatering days was my inspiration this time.
This is also my first time filming my sketchbook – so, fingers crossed!!
I spent some of the holiday drawing and painting with my good friend Mary Price and we hoked up for some of our time with another woman, Julie Sajous, a new friend found loitering with sketchbook and pens.
This common ground of drawing (followed by eating and drinking) is such a uniting factor you know! In times which seem to polarise people we need to find our tribes, connect and lift each other up!
Painting alone and painting with friends – such a great way to connect with place and people. Here are me, Mary Price and Julie Sajous.
That’s me on the left looking like I might fall over backwards into a cactus!
I would love to hear how you record your travels if you do.
Do you draw or photograph and do you think there’s a big difference? Or maybe you keep a written journal? Let me know in the comments ….
Sketchbook colour trials and a pastel da nata (very lifelike!!)
Having turned part of the garden over to wildflowers and seen significant increases in insect and bird population I am looking at the connections between these two concepts…
Exploring Enchantment: A Journey of Wonder and Connection
Enchantment is an elusive yet profoundly impactful experience that invites us to see the world through a lens of wonder and interconnectedness.
Enchantment in Art and Life
In my art manifesto, I touch upon the concept of enchantment as a means to generate new and helpful myths for the future, working towards the re-enchantment of human beings and human actions suggesting that art can be a powerful tool to reconnect us with a sense of wonder and meaning.
recent mono-print from a small project observing crows, ravens and corvids and investigating the mythology of them – this is Branwen the white raven from Wales – 2024
Literary Perspectives on Enchantment
Katherine May, in her book “Enchantment: Reawakening Wonder in an Exhausted Age” describes it as a small yet magnified wonder, a sense of fascination caught in the web of fable and memory. She emphasizes that enchantment relies on small doses of meaning and fascination, found only when we actively look for them. It is the ability to sense magic in the everyday, to channel it through our minds and bodies, and to be sustained by it. She says:
“I don’t have words to describe what it meant to play with my moon shadow. Instead, I feel it in my body, a kind of physical wonder at what is there waiting for me when I stop to notice.” p.221
This perspective highlights the subtle and often overlooked aspects of enchantment that enrich our daily lives. My personal word for 2024 to hold in mind is “NOTICE” – it’s a helpful one – it invites slowing down, deep looking, investigating effects and affects on the self and sometimes recording in images or words.
Raven monoprint – the legend goes that the crow pulled the light from the heavens to give to our world – 2024
Enchantment as a Way of Being
Sharon Blackie, writing on Substack, offers a definition of enchantment that is grounded in a vivid sense of belonging and participation in life. She describes the enchanted life as one that embraces wonder, engages the creative imagination, and is deeply embodied and ecological. It is about respecting the wisdom of the natural world, thriving on poetry, song, and dance, and living slowly and ethically. Enchantment, for Blackie, is about falling in love with the world anew and making a conscious choice to nourish our bruised psyches. Her approach underscores the holistic and integrative nature of enchantment as a way to live fully and meaningfully.
A small crow painting completed recently – integrating crows into the environment as our ecosystem – 2024
Personal Reflections
In my own practice, I find that the deliberate pursuit of attention, ritual, or reflection does not draw in anything external but rather rearranges what I already know to find new insights. This symbolic thought process offers a repository of understanding that can be triggered by everyday experiences, creating a physical sense of wonder when I stop to notice. This personal reflection aligns with the broader themes of enchantment as a means of self-discovery and connection as well as cultivating a sense of awe as I described here in a piece about drawing outside and cultivating a sense of awe.
Recent watercolour made outside recording a bird singing in a tree in Loulé, Portugal – 2024
Are you ready to embrace the multifaceted experience of enchantment that invites us to engage with the world in deeper and more meaningful ways? Whether through art, literature, or personal reflection, it offers a path to reconnect with the wonder and magic inherent in our lives and that creates meaning for us – something we all need and something we can cultivate in noticing the weeds in the cracks in the pavement and our own plants in window-boxes, balconies and gardens or in walking in our neighbourhood or out in the wider countryside if we have access to that.
Watercolour observational sketch whilst listening to the birds in our local park – 2024
Wilding and Re-wilding (a film)
I am currently researching the concept of Wilding and Re-wilding and as part of this I am looking forward to seeing the film ‘Wilding’ next week which is on at smaller cinemas currently. (Local friends I am going to the Orbit in Wellington, Telford on Friday July at 2.30 – join me!!). Wilding tells the story of a young couple that bets on nature for the future of their failing, four-hundred-year-old estate. The young couple battles entrenched tradition, and dares to place the fate of their farm in the hands of nature. Ripping down the fences, they set the land back to the wild and entrust its recovery to a motley mix of animals both tame and wild. It is the beginning of a grand experiment that will become one of the most significant rewilding experiments in Europe.
I haven’t posted since April – where did the time go? Hope you are all staying well and enjoying some more freedoms than before and some lovely summer weather. I am revelling in the gardens and hedgerows at the moment – literally rolling around in grass like a puppy sometimes – I think it’s just a release from the darkness and enclosure of a strange winter.
There’s plenty of inspiration for shape, colour and pattern down there at welly level!
Much Wenlock, Shropshire – ‘The Spiritual In Nature Exhibition’
Now we can freely travel and visit places again, you may like to visit this gorgeous village in the heart of some beautiful countryside. There are antiques shops, bookshops, a yarn shop and plenty of lovely food outlets.
Excitingly I have an exhibition there for the whole of July – although please note that the venue, The Guildhall, is open Fridays to Mondays 11am – 4pm. It’s an amazing building itself – built in 1540. You can go into the courtroom and the council chamber which features the most exquisite wood carvings and furniture.
Cards and prints will also be on sale and I will be there on some of the days – this morning, next Friday afternoon and the 11th July. Other times I will drop in too. Let me know if you would like to meet.
The exhibition is my response to lockdown, featuring birds and wildlife that we could see through windows as we felt so trapped inside. But didn’t we come to appreciate it? Didn’t we notice its importance? Also I am addressing in my work, the need for new myths and tales to be told for our future generations about what we have learned about changes to environment through the actions of mankind.
Poster for the exhibition.
The address of the Guildhall is 1 Wilmore St, Much Wenlock TF13 6HR. There are stairs to climb to the first floor. The exhibition and entry to the building is free but please expect to wear a mask. The red blob below on the map is opposite the Guildhall.
Here are a few of the paintings in the exhibition. There are thirteen altogether.
In other news
I have achieved the desire of a lifetime which is to by myself a Campervan (not a VW trend-setter one!) to travel, read, write and spend time discovering more of our beautiful natural world. You could call it a mobile ashram and painting studio! There is loads of room for art materials and the potential for lots of silence, stillness and solitude. Expect more of this:
… anyway it’s all too exciting – I am looking for places to park up cheaply, walk and paint. I could deliver a mindfulness and art workshop near you with a group of your friends?
Wolf Town Art Club
I have decided to take a small break from our fabulous art club which has happened monthly online over the past year and we will resume in the latter part of the year. We all need to be out there at the moment, whilst we can!
Community Art Projects
I’m in the middle of two funding bids at the moment for some funding for great projects – watch this space – should know more at the beginning of August.
Meditation and Wellness Sessions
These are still online – you can find out more and book here (Gatis Community Centre) and here (Boundary Way Project).
That’s it folks!
Meanwhile get out there, smell the roses, make some marks, draw some and ENJOY THE SUMMER!
Love and best wishes
Clare Wassermann
Paintings from the van! Stone Circles and Crows by Clare Wassermann.
At last it is truly here! The British Summer. Time to throw the studio windows open and get out and about in the garden and plein air sketching.
I have just had an enjoyable time in Wales discovering the area between Cwmtydu and Cardigan. Unspoilt and rugged, the cliffs inspired some sketching and the beaches and hedgerows inspired some walking. Waterfalls on beaches and quiet roads have made this place a new favourite for me.
This year has mostly been taken up with a consolidation of two visits to Japan. I cannot begin to describe how this country appeals to me so much. The people, the countryside, the efficiency and ethos captivate and of course the temples are an utter sanctuary. In these tranquil places every angle seems to be a perfectly framed view.
I kept several travel sketchbooks whilst there and have been invited to make an exhibition on the theme this summer. Here is a glimpse but there are about twenty works in total. The date is to be confirmed but it will be at Cafe 86’d in Ironbridge, Shropshire for a couple of months. This is one of my very favourite eating establishments in the UK – my go to for lunch when in the vicinity.
These pieces feature many, many layers of collected papers, stitch, pencil and ink. Others are painted but layered in the same way. It has been a definite labour of total love.
Events in the Studio
As ever there are plenty of things going on in my lovely studio at Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton. Tonight there is a Women’s Circle which will also happen on July 2nd, the next New Moon. Only £5 – a chance to connect in peace. Let me know if you would like to come. Info here although the second date is wrong – it should read Tuesday 2nd July https://www.facebook.com/events/673197123130651/
Otherwise there are more events on the Workshops page
Boundary Way
Boundary Way Allotments Project has had a new round of funding and this year some of the focus is on the role of fungi in nature. We had a superb visit from Rich Wright of Kew Gardens. He is a Mycologist and told us so many interesting facts about mushrooms and the amazing mycelium layer below the ground connecting plants and trees that we were all really inspired.
Hannah Boyd and myself had a lovely afternoon sketching fungi and making folding books from abstracted mushroom related art with a group of Bpoundary Way artists. More events are to come for the public in the Summer. One is here but I think it is sold out – watch this space for more.
Wolverhampton Society of Artists
I have recently joined this Society which is 100 years old this year. There has recently been an exhibition for new members to exhibit in. I was pleased to have sold these two pieces and look forward to spending more time with the society.
Holcome Pink Foot – oil on canvas 12″x12″
In The Womb Of The Earth – Hare – oil on canvas 20″ x 12″
There is one other available in the series:
In The Womb Of The Earth – Foxes- oil on canvas 20″ x 12″
and a sketch for a badgers piece is waiting!
I am sure there is a lot more to say – but it is time to go and enjoy the sunshine! See you soon.
At last the weather is warming, the buds are unfurling and the blossom is about to burst. We are starting to think about going outside in our gardens and sampling some country air. For me I am excited to be out in nature walking in the woods and having a bit of a commune with some trees!!
I’ve done a lot of walking and sketching this long cold winter …. why?
My first solo exhibition
I am incredibly happy to announce that I have been asked by The Museum of Cannock Chase to produce a large amount of work for an exhibition in their lovely gallery.
I have been busy walking Hednesford Hills, Brocton Coppice and other areas of The Chase and exploring the animals, scenery and plant life, painting and sketching in the landscape. It’s been a long and cold winter and sometimes the paint froze on palette and paper. Sometimes I used my iPad to sketch in a David Hockney fashion to alleviate the problem. It has all resulted in a growing fondness for the area and a body of work that I have really enjoyed. I have worked in oil, acrylic, mixed media and textiles and have relished the focus that it has brought to my practice.
I’d love you to come
The exhibition runs from Saturday 28th April until 17th June and the museum is open from 11am until 5pm 7 days a week (last entry 4.30pm).
There is a nice little coffee shop and other exhibits to look at plus some gorgeous walks right on the doorstep. There’s plenty of parking and the gallery is accessible to all. Here is a link to the website so you can find out more
Workshops for You
A new list of exciting creative workshops in this lovely light and spacious Victorian Studio at Newhampton Arts Centre over on my website – click HERE.
They range from oil painting, encaustic wax art, a day of pastel tuition, meditative sound baths to creative textile work and feltmaking as well as batik and an art club every month.
Some of these days are run by me and some by a lovely group of tutors who are experts in their fields.
Newhampton Arts Centrre is a hive of activity in Wolverhampton and it’s website is here – please see what else there is for you.
Please get in touch if there’s something else you’d like to see happening or if you would like to run a workshop yourself.
Do keep revisiting the website because more is always being added!
You will always be made most welcome so why not explore your creative side and try something new?
Meanwhile enjoy the warmer weather and stay well, happy and creative
Do you find yourself sitting in front of a screen for hours, hard to tear yourself away because of the endless trails of ‘research’ it can lead you on? Do you worry that that you spend too much time in meeting rooms and offices? Is the only opportunity you have for outdoor time at the weekend and even then there are too many jobs to get through you miss the chance?
Here’s a great idea which I guarantee will benefit your outlook, perspective and health. I experience this way as often as I can and it’s very rewarding.
Here’s an example from this week. A brainstorming session was required and idea generation was the purpose of a meeting with two other artists.
We decided to meet at Attingham Park National Trust instead of an office or studio space. The snowdrops were calling. Here we were, three practising artists with different but complementary practices who are involved at Boundary Way Project an allotment site in Wolverhampton which aims to bring arts and health to the community in a natural setting amongst other exciting activities.
As an experiment with meeting venues we met up in the lovely courtyard cafe at Attingham and obviously needed some analytical warm up discussions regarding the excellent quality of cake and coffee first. Then we got down to business.
It was very quiet at 10am and there was excellent easy to access wifi to help us to share links etc. Not many people around, even on a sunny day until 11.45 when the lunch crowd arrived but even then it’s such a huge group of rooms there’s plenty of room. We still had loads of space around us and there’s no background music thankfully.
The clincher
After the main body of the meeting we took a walk for half an hour together. THIS IS THE CLINCHER IN MY VIEW. This distinguishes the experience from meeting in a coffee shop.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
During the walk many other ideas emerged and were discussed in a more creative way. I’m sure this is to do with fresh air, moving our bodies and feeling the spaciousness and freedom. Also visual stimulation (especially for artists, but I believe for all) can provoke new thoughts of course.
We will definitely meet this way again – maybe at other National Trust properties where there are similar facilities and stimulation – not to mention great sticky ginger cake!
An opportunity for you to get outdoors with me
If you would like to experience an outdoor environment (with good indoor space if the weather is not so good) and try your hand at easy art making, please have a look at this event in June this year CLICK HERE and consider joining me at Boundary Way. No experience needed but you will go away refreshed, artified and with a beautiful book to take home.
For other workshop opportunities with me in my lovely Victorian studio in Wolverhampton:
Clare Wassermann Art 